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Protect Your South Florida Home before Heading North for the Summer
Are you a part-time Floridian who likes to head north for the summer? Then you will need to go through a home maintenance checklist to make sure your South Florida home is protected from the harsh summer weather. The near-tropical climate in Florida can wreak havoc on a home if you aren’t properly prepared. Here are some key issues that you should look into before you take off on your snowbird adventure: Humidity Control The humidity in South Florida is around 30% to 50% in the summer. This can cause wood decking, furniture or finishing to deteriorate, it can lead to corrosion on electrical appliances and electronic equipment such as computers, and it can be a catalyst to mildew and mold growth. Some preventative steps that you can take to combat the humidity include sealing your windows and doors, turning on your A/C system...
read more2019 Spring Home Maintenance Ideas
Spring is the perfect time to make sure everything in and around your property is in order. If you are scratching your head while looking at your home because you are not sure where to start, here are a few 2019 spring home maintenance ideas to put on your to-do list: Deal With Critical Issues First If you have plumbing or electrical problems, this should receive your immediate attention before you proceed to the other home maintenance tasks. Clear Out Your Gutters Leaves and debris can clog your gutters. Use a ladder to get up to the height of your gutters, make sure you are wearing safety gloves, and lift the leaves and debris out of the gutter before disposing it into a bag. Use a garden hose to clear out small debris that has been left behind in the gutters. If the...
read moreFlorida Home Watch Services Questions:
Looking for a Florida home watch service? Here are some of the frequently asked questions about this service: What does a home watch service include? During each inspection, Gardens Home Management Services will check the general security, pest problems, weather and/or water damage, heating & air conditioning system upkeep, electrical system, plumbing system, as well as the pool and landscape maintenance. How do I know if a company is a legitimate home watch service? The Government doesn’t regulate home watch services. Look for a company that carefully screens its employees. Why do I need a home watch service? The real question is: how can you not have one? Your South Florida Property is a big investment and anything can go wrong – water leaks, pests, break-ins, storms, and mold, to name a few. When you partner with Gardens Home Management Services, you will have someone who is proactively maintaining...
read moreSetting Up a Snowbird Lifestyle in Florida? Consider Home Management Services!
Do you have a vision for your retirement? Many people dream about the snowbird lifestyle, where they move to warmer parts of the country such as Florida for a few months of the year. There are a number of considerations to keep in mind if you want to set up a snowbird lifestyle, including the following: Health Care Not only do you need access to doctors and hospitals while you are snowbirding, but you need to make sure that your health care scheme will cover you if you are moving between states. Traditional Medicaid should be fine, but if you have supplement gap coverage, make sure that you are not limited to treatment in your current state. Taxes The amount of time you plan on spending in Florida varies between people. If you plan to spend half the year at your second home, you should consider establishing...
read moreQuestions To Ask When Selecting A Homewatch Service Provider
South Florida has become a popular spot for snowbirds. After season, many of these snowbirds go back to their primary residences in other states across the U.S. Homewatch services have become very popular for a number of reasons. Not only do homewatch providers maintain pools, lawns, electrical systems, and check for pests in and around your home, they often offer security services as well. It is a great way to keep tabs on your second home. When it comes to your South Florida property, there is a lot at stake. A second property is a big investment and you want to make sure you are entrusting the homewatch function to a reliable service provider. Here are a few questions to ask before you hire a homewatch company: Do You Have Testimonials? References from people that the company has done business with in the past are also crucial....
read moreWhat Do I Need To Know About Buying A Second Home In South Florida?
Owning property is a big dream for many. It is one of the most reliable ways to build wealth. But what about buying a second property in South Florida? If you enjoy vacationing in South Florida, and if you want to establish more stability and greater roots in the area, then buying a second property could be a good idea. This might not be something that many young people can do, but an increasing number of people in their fifties and sixties are buying second properties in their favorite vacation spots in preparation for their retirement or simply because they love the snowbird lifestyle. Being older means that you know what you like, you likely have an established career, a solid credit history, and perhaps you have also already paid off your first mortgage. If this sounds like you, there are still a few things to consider before...
read morePreparing Your Garden For Spring In South Florida
Spring is around the corner, which means your garden in South Florida may need to be prepared for the warmer weather. Preparing for spring is an important part of your yard maintenance, and setting your garden up for success is easier than you may think. Here are a few tips to keep in mind: Transplant Plants That Aren’t Flourishing Many times, you plant certain flowers, trees or plants in a seemingly perfect spot, but something outside of your control leads it to become a problem. Even experienced gardeners make mistakes such as planting too close to the property line. The start of spring is a great time to transplant plants to a new area because the cooler weather allows the roots to easily transition to their new spot. Be Cautious With Pruning Certain plants, such as hydrangeas, should not be pruned in the spring as you run...
read moreSafeguard Your Vacation Home For The Hot Summer Months.
It is essential to safeguard your vacation home during the hot, humid months in Florida, when most vacation homes are empty due to the “snowbirds” returning to their summer homes. Here are a couple of tips to follow: Monitor Your Bills Monitor your electricity and water bills for any unusual variances during the months you are not there to check for any unusual activity. Air Conditioner, Humidity Management, And Mold Prevention Set your programmable A/C to run for at least 2 hours a day during 12 am and 6 am at 72 degrees, and at 88 degrees for the remainder of the time. Other A/C should be set to 80 degrees during the time you are away. Change or if washable, then wash the A/C filter as dirt can lead to mildew and mold growth. Set dehumidifiers and/or humidistats to 58 percent RH to maintain the...
read moreWhat is a Home Watch Service?
If you spend a lot of time away from your home, perhaps on business trips, or if you own a vacation home, you probably worry about it standing vacant for long periods of time. This is the reason why most people turn to a home watch service provider for help. What is a home watch service? What exactly does this service entail? We have the answers for you below: What is a Home Watch Service? A home watch service is exactly what it says – it is when experts keep an eye on your home and take care of its general maintenance when you are unable to. A home watch service provider will ensure enhanced security first and foremost. Aside from conducting routine inspections, it should also respond quickly to any security system alarms – day or night, throughout the year. However, a home watch service is about...
read moreAnnual Vacation Home Maintenance Checklist
If you’re lucky enough to own a vacation home, you’ll know just how important regular vacation home maintenance is in order to keep it in tip-top condition all year round. In an effort to help simplify the process, we’ve put together an annual vacation home maintenance checklist for your convenience. Spring and Summer Home Maintenance This is the perfect time to give your vacation home a new lease on life by cleaning and maintaining your home to be ready for your next winter visit. Some of the areas to be checked for maintenance are: Check the exterior of the home for the following: Roof damage Crack or movement in concrete Paint chips Holes that needs repairing Gutters – do they need cleaning or any maintenance Windows and doors – check for damaged or rotted wood and reseal or replace, reapply exterior caulk if the gap around the door or...
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